Box Gum Woodland EEC Implementation Plan

Transcription

TARRAWONGA COAL MINE
WHITE-BOX YELLOW-BOX BLAKELY'S RED-GUM WOODLAND ENDANGERED
ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
PREPARED BY
WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED
JANUARY 2015
Project No. WHC-24
Document No. 00646570.docx
TCM Box-Gum Woodland EEC Implementation Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ES-1
1
INTRODUCTION
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1
5
7
BACKGROUND
OBJECTIVES
CONSULTATION
2
METHODS
8
3
PROPOSED ACTIONS RELATING TO FACTORS LIKELY TO IMPEDE AND ENHANCE
8
4
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
19
DRAFT
5
CONCLUSION
25
DRAFT
6
REFERENCES
26
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1
Condition 43 of Project Approval (PA 11_0047)
Table 2
Proposed Actions Relating to Factors Likely to Impede or Enhance the Re-establishment
and Restoration of Box-Gum Woodland
Table 3
Implementation Plan for Re-establishing Box-Gum Woodland in the Mine Rehabilitation
Phase
DRAFT
Table 4
Implementation Plan for the Box-Gum Woodland in the Offset Areas
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1
Regional Location
Figure 2
General Arrangement
Figure 3
Endangered Ecological Communities – Offset Area
Figure 4
Box-Gum Woodland EEC Investigation and Implementation Plan
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A
Appendix B
00646570.DOCX
Maules Creek Mine White-Box Yellow-Box Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland Endangered
Ecological Community Investigation Report
Box-Gum Woodland State and Transition Model
i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tarrawonga Coal Pty Ltd (TCPL) owns the Tarrawonga Coal Mine (TCM) which is located
approximately 42 kilometres (km) north of Gunnedah and 15 km north-east of Boggabri in the
Gunnedah Basin, New South Wales (NSW). The TCM commenced operations in 2006 and an
extension to the mine was approved under State (NSW) and Commonwealth Project approvals in
2013.
As part of the NSW Project approval for the TCM, TCPL will implement:
1.
a Rehabilitation Strategy on the post-mine landforms that will focus on using species
characteristic of the White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland, an
endangered ecological community in NSW (herein referred to as the Box-Gum Woodland EEC);
and
2.
a Biodiversity Offset Strategy in the surrounding region that aims to enhance and restore
Box-Gum Woodland EEC (woodland form) on disturbed (former agricultural) land with derived
native grassland (which currently meets the criteria for the Box-Gum Woodland EEC [derived
grassland form]).
DRAFT
It is recognised that aiming to re-establish or restore Box-Gum Woodland is likely to be difficult,
particularly on post-mine landforms. However, the prospects for achieving a community that has
characteristics of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC would be improved by understanding factors likely to
enhance or impede restoration of the Box-Gum Woodland.
DRAFT
In 2014, Whitehaven Coal Limited (Whitehaven) (a joint venture partner of TCPL) undertook an
investigation of factors likely to enhance or impede the effective restoration or re-establishment of the
Box-Gum Woodland EEC. Following that investigation, this implementation plan was developed to
maximise the prospects for rehabilitation and regeneration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC on the
offset areas and on the mine site.
DRAFT
The investigation has resulted in the identification of 48 individual actions relating to the Rehabilitation
Strategy and 39 individual actions relating to the Biodiversity Offset Strategy. The approved
implementation plan will be incorporated into the Rehabilitation Management Plan and a revised
Biodiversity Management Plan.
00646570.DOCX
ES-1
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
The Tarrawonga Coal Mine (TCM) is an open cut coal mining operation located approximately
42 kilometres (km) north of Gunnedah and 15 km north-east of Boggabri in the Gunnedah Basin, New
South Wales (NSW) (Figures 1 and 2). The TCM is owned by Tarrawonga Coal Pty Ltd (TCPL), which
is a joint venture between Whitehaven Coal Limited (Whitehaven) (70 percent [%] interest) and
Boggabri Coal Pty Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Idemitsu Australia Resources Pty Ltd)
(30% interest).
The TCM commenced operations in 2006 and an extension to the mine (i.e. the Tarrawonga Coal
Project) was approved under State (NSW) and Commonwealth Project approvals in 2013. In January
2013, the Tarrawonga Coal Project was granted NSW Project approval under the NSW Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act by the Planning Assessment Commission under delegation of the
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. The Tarrawonga Coal Project was granted approval under the
Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on
11 March 2013 (Commonwealth Approval Decision 2011/5923).
DRAFT
As part of the NSW Project approval for the TCM, TCPL will implement:
1.
a Rehabilitation Strategy on the post-mine landforms that will focus on using species
characteristic of the White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland, an
endangered ecological community listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act,
1995 in NSW (herein referred to as the Box-Gum Woodland EEC); and
2.
a Biodiversity Offset Strategy in the surrounding region that aims to enhance and restore BoxGum Woodland EEC (woodland form) on disturbed (former agricultural) land with derived native
grassland (which currently meets the criteria for the Box-Gum Woodland EEC [derived grassland
form]).
DRAFT
Rehabilitation Strategy
Condition 40 of TCM Project Approval (PA 11_0047) requires 752 hectares (ha) of vegetation to be reestablished on the post-mine landforms. An objective is to revegetate the post-mine landforms with a
mixture of native woodland and forest (approximately 752 ha). The focus will be on using species
characteristic of Box-Gum Woodland EEC in 13 ha (as required by the Commonwealth Approval
Decision 2011/5923).
Biodiversity Offset Strategy
The biodiversity offset areas under Condition 40 of TCM Project Approval (PA 11_0047) are required
to cover a minimum of 1,660 ha of land (Figure 3). The Box-Gum Woodland EEC is present in the
offset areas in woodland form (approximately 37 ha) and derived grassland form (approximately
197 ha) (Figure 3). The Biodiversity Offset Strategy aims to re-establish Box-Gum Woodland in these
two landscapes:
1.
through enhancement of existing woodland remnants of the Box-Gum Woodland in varying
conditions; and
2.
in cleared (mostly grazing) land with predominantly native grassland groundcover (derived
grasslands).
00646570.DOCX
1
It is recognised that aiming to re-establish or restore Box-Gum Woodland is likely to be difficult.
However, the prospects for achieving a community that has characteristics of the Box-Gum Woodland
EEC would be improved by understanding factors likely to enhance or impede restoration of the
Box-Gum Woodland.
Long-term Maintenance
The long-term maintenance of Box-Gum Woodland/provision of habitat would be facilitated through:
1.
long-term security of the offset areas and woodland on the rehabilitation areas by the
mechanisms specified in the Project Approval (i.e. management will be required to be
undertaken in accordance with a conservation agreement and/or protected area [e.g. National
Park or Nature Reserve] management arrangement).
2.
lodgement of conservation and biodiversity bond for the offset areas with the DP&E (noting that
the bond will only be released once the offset strategy is completed generally in accordance
with completion criteria).
Box-Gum Woodland Investigation
DRAFT
Condition 43(b) of the TCM Project Approval (PA 11_0047) requires:
1.
an investigation on factors likely to enhance or impede the effective long term restoration of
degraded remnants of this EEC in offset areas or regeneration of this EEC on disturbed areas
(i.e. an Investigation Report);
2.
an implementation plan to maximise the prospects for rehabilitation and regeneration of the
Box-Gum Woodland EEC (i.e. an Implementation Plan – this document); and
3.
revision of the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP).
DRAFT
Figure 4 contains a flow diagram that shows how the Investigation Report, Implementation Plan and
the BMP (and TCM Rehabilitation Management Plan [RMP]) relate.
In 2014, a separate report (the Investigation Report) (Appendix A) was prepared by Whitehaven which
documented an investigation that was undertaken on factors likely to enhance or impede the effective
restoration of degraded remnants of Box-Gum Woodland EEC in offset areas or re-establishment of
Box-Gum Woodland EEC on disturbed areas (both offset areas and the site).
This document (the Implementation Plan) provides actions to maximise the prospects for rehabilitation
and regeneration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC on the offset areas and the mine site. The outcomes
of the Implementation Plan are ‘checklists’ for implementing the Rehabilitation Strategy and
Biodiversity Offset Strategy (where they relate to Box-Gum Woodland EEC). The approved
Implementation Plan will be incorporated into a revised BMP and a revised RMP.
1.2
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this report is to satisfy Condition 43(c) of TCM Project Approval (PA 11_0047)
(Table 1) by considering the TCM Box-Gum EEC Investigation Report (Whitehaven, 2014;
Appendix A) and providing an implementation plan to maximise the prospects for rehabilitation and
regeneration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC on the offset areas and the mine site. The
implementation plan will be incorporated into a revised BMP and revised RMP.
00646570.DOCX
5
Box-Gum Woodland
Endangered Ecological Community (EEC)
Investigation Report
Factors Likely to Impede
or Enhance the
Re-establishment and
Restoration of Box-Gum
Woodland
Box-Gum Woodland EEC
Implementation Plan
Check-list to Improve
the Prospects for
Re-establishment of the
Box-Gum Woodland as
part of the
Rehabilitation Strategy
(mine rehabilitation)
Check-list to Improve
the Prospects for
Restoration of the BoxGum Woodland as part
of the Biodiversity
Offset Strategy
Rehabilitation Management
Plan
Biodiversity Management
Plan
*
* Integration of relevant mine rehabilitation components in the Biodiversity Management Plan.
WHC-14-24 BGWR_001A
BOX-GUM
WOODLAND
FIGURE 4
Box-Gum Woodland EEC Investigation and
Implementation Plan
REPORT
Table 1
Condition 43 of Project Approval (PA 11_0047)
Condition
43. For the White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland Endangered Ecological Community the Proponent
shall:
(a) ensure that the Biodiversity Offset Strategy and site Rehabilitation Strategy is focused on protection rehabilitation, reestablishment and long-term maintenance of viable stands of this community;
(b) investigate in consultation with OEH and the Namoi CMA, all factors likely to enhance or impede the effective long
term restoration of degraded remnants of this EEC in offset areas or regeneration of this EEC on disturbed areas (both
offset areas and the site);
(c) within 24 months of the date of this approval (and if possible in conjunction with Stage 2 of the Leard Forest
Mining Precinct Regional Biodiversity Strategy), submit a report of this investigation and provide an implementation
plan to maximise the prospects for rehabilitation and regeneration of this EEC on the offset areas and the site, for
approval by the Director-General; and
(d) incorporate the approved implementation plan into the revised Biodiversity Management Plan, required under
Condition 43.
It has not been possible to prepare this report in conjunction with Stage 2 of the Leard Forest Mining
Precinct Regional Biodiversity Strategy being co-ordinated by the DP&E as it is yet to be developed.
Nevertheless, this report is consistent with the intent of the Stage 2 of the Leard Forest Mining
Precinct Regional Biodiversity Strategy in that it seeks to improve the performance of the offset areas
and has been prepared jointly with the Maules Creek Coal Mine.
DRAFT
1.3
CONSULTATION
Condition 43(b) of TCM Project Approval (PA 11_0047) (Table 1) does not require consultation with
stakeholders regarding this implementation plan, however, consultation was undertaken with:
DRAFT
•
Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH);
•
North West Local Land Services (formerly the Namoi Catchment Management Authority); and
•
DP&E
This implementation plan was revised in light of comments by or discussions with those stakeholders
before it was submitted to DP&E for approval.
In their letter (dated 22 October 2014), OEH provided the following comments not directly related to
this implementation plan:
OEH offers the following suggestions regarding the level of detail it expects should be included in the
revisions of the RMP and BMP. This includes:
•
detailed descriptions, maps and area on each offset property for each condition state of the EEC and
other vegetation types, and management area, if different
•
maps and area of the estimated area of habitat of each threatened species, and condition class if
known
•
details of the presence of important structural, floristic and habitat elements present (eg caves, cliff
lines, raptor nests, areas with abundant hollow-bearing trees, fallen debris, flora species specifically
identified as providing habitat resources for threatened species etc.)
•
mapping and/or imagery and photographs which illustrate threats that can be mapped, such as
weeds and erosion. Baseline data of the current extent of each threat described should also be
provided (baseline information is required to assess the change in the level of the threat and to
monitor success over time against relevant performance targets)
00646570.DOCX
7
•
objectives for managing biodiversity values for each management area, strategies and timing to be
implemented to manage biodiversity threats and to ensure that biodiversity values are improved
•
identified measurable performance measures and targets, how progress is to be measured and
reported and at what intervals,
•
completion criteria for each threat in each management area eg the area or number of individuals of
a weed species per management domain, based on the level of the acceptable threat. Targets should
relate to actual biodiversity outcomes, including species requirements at different times, rather than
simply inputs and outputs,
•
a risk assessment, trigger points and subsequent corrective actions to be implemented if the
monitoring program identifies that the performance targets and therefore biodiversity management
objectives are not being met.
TCM would consider the above suggestions in relation to revisions to the RMP or BMP (whichever is
most applicable to the individual point).
2
METHODS
DRAFT
This implementation plan was prepared by reviewing the factors likely to enhance the re-establishment
and restoration of Box-Gum Woodland at the TCM and offset areas.
3
PROPOSED ACTIONS RELATING TO FACTORS LIKELY TO IMPEDE AND
ENHANCE
Table 2 provides a list of proposed actions relating to each factor likely to impede and enhance the
re-establishment and restoration of Box-Gum Woodland.
DRAFT
Although the offset land was previously a cattle station predominantly used for grazing livestock, the
livestock have already been removed since the property was purchased in 2010 and natural
regeneration processes have commenced.
00646570.DOCX
8
Table 2
Proposed Actions Relating to Factors Likely to Impede or Enhance the Re-establishment and Restoration of Box-Gum Woodland
Broad Factor
1. Substrate
1a.
Relevant Objective
Poor soil chemistry – depleted soil
nutrients (Eddy, 2002)
Mine Rehabilitation – Establishment of Box-Gum
Woodland on the post-mine landform
Factors Likely to Enhance
•
Avoidance of soils with high or low pH, high salinity, low fertility
or sodic soils.
•
Rehabilitation trials focused on soil substrate.
•
Nutrient management options:
-
Amelioration of soils with agricultural gypsum, compost
(i.e. mulch saved during clearing activities) or fertilisers
depending on the nutrient deficiency.
-
Addition of woody debris to increase carbon levels
(Harmon et al., 1986; Debeljak, 2006; Manning et al.,
2013; Goldin and Brookhouse, 2014).
-
Actions
The RMP will:
•
provide parameters for the physical and chemical characteristics of topsoils and
overburden based on likely suitable characteristics for establishment of Box-Gum
Woodland;
•
provide for soil testing to be undertaken on topsoil and overburden to identify
issues with physical and chemical characteristics as well as determine
amelioration requirements and rates;
•
provide for rehabilitation trials (focusing on rehabilitation and revegetation of BoxGum Woodland) to be undertaken on different rehabilitation substrates;
•
provide for selective identification and placement (burial) of soils unsuitable for
use as a growth media;
•
describe options for ameliorating soils to improve the suitability of the soils as a
growth media (e.g. amelioration with agricultural gypsum, compost [i.e. mulch
saved during clearing activities] or fertilisers depending on the nutrient
deficiency);
•
describe the incorporation of vegetative material (cleared at the mine site) into the
soil used for rehabilitation or as mulch; and
•
provide for selective use of slow-release native plant fertiliser (e.g. rock minerals)
to promote plant growth (if required).
1
Use of Biochar to increase soil carbon .
DRAFT
1b.
1
Poor soil chemistry – elevated soil
nutrients, salinity and acid soils
(Rawlings et al., 2010; Department of
the Environment, Climate Change and
Water [DECCW], 2011)
Offset Areas – Re-establishment of Box-Gum
Woodland from derived grasslands (Condition
State 2 [Rawlings et al., 2010])
•
Limited and selective use of specific fertilisers to facilitate
growth of tube stock (Eddy, 2002).
•
Placement of woody debris to increase carbon and moisture
levels (Goldin and Brookhouse, 2014).
•
Avoidance of soils with high or low pH, high salinity, low fertility
or sodic soils.
•
Application of minimum topsoil and subsoil depths (Condition
25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923).
•
Soil surveys and inventories prior to soil stripping (Condition
•
The RMP will:
•
provide parameters for the physical and chemical characteristics of topsoils and
overburden based on likely suitable characteristics for establishment of Box-Gum
Woodland;
•
Soil handling processes for removal, storage and re-layering of
topsoil and subsoil (Condition 25[d] of the Approval Decision
EPBC 2011/5923).
provide for soil testing to be undertaken on topsoil and overburden to identify
issues with physical and chemical characteristics as well as determine
amelioration requirements and rates;
•
use as a growth media;
•
Annual soil balances to manage soil handling.
•
•
Rehabilitation trials focused on soil substrate.
describe minimum topsoil and subsoil depths for revegetation (consistent with
Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923);
•
provide for soil surveys and inventories to be undertaken prior to soil stripping
(consistent with Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923);
•
provide soil handling processes for removal, storage and re-layering of topsoil
and subsoil (consistent with Condition 25[d] of the Approval Decision EPBC
2011/5923), including the length and mode of topsoil storage. This will
specifically detail the stripping of topsoil likely to contain seeds;
•
provide for annual soil balances to be undertaken to facilitate management of soil
handling; and
•
provide for rehabilitation trials (focusing on rehabilitation and revegetation of
Box-Gum Woodland) to be undertaken on different rehabilitation substrates.
DRAFT
Not proposed to be used due to preferential use of mulch and woody debris from clearing activities.
00646570.DOCX
The BMP will provide for selective use of slow-release fertiliser to promote plant growth
(if required).
9
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
1. Substrate (Cont.)
1c.
1d.
Relevant Objective
Poor soil chemistry – elevated soil
nutrients ( Prober et al., 2002; Rawlings
et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011)
Poor soil chemistry – acid rock drainage
DRAFT
1e.
Erosion and sedimentation (Rawlings et
al., 2010; DECCW, 2011; Tongway and
Ludwig, 2011)
Offset Areas – Restoration of Existing Box-Gum
Woodland (Condition State 1 [Rawlings et al.,
2010])
2
3
No application of fertilizers on soils with elevated
concentrations of the same nutrients (Rawlings et al., 2010).
The BMP will describe the following nutrient reduction options and the relevant
situations where they would be applied:
•
Nutrient management options to lower soil nitrogen and
phosphorus levels:
•
•
-
Crash grazing periodically to remove nutrients locked in
2
weeds (Rawlings et al., 2010) .
-
Restriction of livestock access to limit further nutrient
3
enrichment (Rawlings et al., 2010).
-
Hay cutting (Rawlings et al., 2010) .
-
Controlled burns (Rawlings et al., 2010).
-
Carbohydrate addition (Rawlings et al., 2010) .
-
Topsoil removal (scalping) (cleared land only) (Gibson-Roy
6
et al., 2010; Rawlings et al., 2010) .
-
No kill and pasture cropping (Rawlings et al., 2010) .
5
7
Selective identification and placement (burial) of potentially acid
forming interburden materials (Condition 39[c] Schedule 3 of
Project Approval 11_0047).
The RMP will:
•
provide for selective identification and placement (burial) of potentially acid
forming interburden materials; and
•
•
Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923).
•
Establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable following
disturbance.
The RMP will:
•
Application of a temporary sterile cover crop, or native grass
covercrop established from native hays.
•
Adjust seed and planting densities to maximise ground cover.
•
Treatment of dispersive soils and spoils.
•
Design of the batter slopes to be stable.
•
Use of structural erosion controls (e.g. channel banks, slope
drains and energy dissipaters).
•
•
•
Use of benign (hard rock) mulch to stabilise batter surfaces.
•
•
provide for establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable following
disturbance to minimise the potential for erosion and weeds. This will involve the
application of a temporary sterile cover crop (or native grasses) using species that
are not likely to impede revegetation of the Box-Gum Woodland;
•
provide options for remediating erosion including adjust seed and planning
densities to maximise ground cover;
•
provide options for minimising the risk of erosion including treatment of dispersive
soils and spoils, as well as use of use of structural erosion controls (e.g. channel
banks, slope drains and energy dissipaters);
Exclusion of livestock (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Management of pressure from feral grazing animals and native
grazing animals.
describe how livestock will be excluded from areas undergoing active revegetation
(i.e. planting or seeding);
•
consider the use of benign (hard rock) mulch to stabilise batter surfaces that has
been sourced onsite (i.e. salvaged from clearing areas or from waste material);
Ecological function analysis to identify constraints and
requirements for specific management measures (Tongway
and Ludwig, 2011).
•
include monitoring of landscape function; and
•
include provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures.
•
Targeting revegetation along drainage lines.
The BMP will:
•
Remediation of scalded areas.
•
•
Restriction of livestock access (particularly along drainage
lines) (Rawlings et al., 2010).
include a visual inspection of each mapped vegetation management unit in each
offset area to identify constraints and requirements for specific management
measures;
•
Installation of new infrastructure in stable locations (e.g. access
roads) (McIvor, 2002).
•
describe targeted revegetation along drainage lines and scalded areas to
minimise risk of erosion;
•
Maximised re-use of existing infrastructure (e.g. access roads)
instead of creating new infrastructure.
•
aim to locate new offset area management infrastructure (e.g. access roads) in
stable locations;
•
Ecological function analysis to identify constraints and
requirements for specific management measures (Tongway
and Ludwig, 2011).
•
aim to maximise the re-use of existing infrastructure (e.g. access roads) instead
of creating new infrastructure; and
•
provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures.
DRAFT
8
This method is not proposed to be undertaken as grazing livestock were removed from the offset area in 2010.
Grazing livestock were removed from the offset area in 2010.
This method is not proposed to be undertaken due to the extensive areas required to be revegetated.
5
This method is only applicable over small areas (Rawlings et al., 2010) and is therefore not proposed to be undertaken due to the extensive areas required to be revegetated.
6
This method is only applicable to the cleared lands but is not proposed to be undertaken due to the extensive areas required to be revegetated and high disturbance of the technique.
7
This method is only applicable to the derived grasslands but is not proposed to be undertaken in preference of other methods.
00646570.DOCX
controlled burns.
4
4
8
Actions
•
10
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
1f.
Relevant Objective
Soil compaction – inhibits germination
of seeds or growth of seedlings (Eddy,
2002; Department of Sustainability and
the Environment [DSE], 2005; Rawlings
et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011) Also adds
to water logging issues.
DRAFT
1g.
Ground disturbance (Eddy, 2002;
Rawlings et al., 2010)
•
Restriction of vehicle access to avoid compacting soil (Eddy,
2002; DSE, 2005).
•
Pre-planting site preparation (e.g. ripping) (Rawlings et al.,
2010).
•
Exclusion of livestock (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Mulching (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Use of spiked rollers/air jetting to aerate soils to depth of 30 cm.
•
Restriction of vehicle access to avoid compacting soil (Eddy,
2002; DSE, 2005).
•
Restriction of livestock access (Rawlings et al., 2010).
2010])
•
1i.
Depleted soil seed bank (DECCW,
2011)
Insufficient topsoil and/or topsoil depth
(DECCW, 2011)
•
describe site preparation (e.g. ripping or use of spiked rollers) to reduce soil
compaction impacting the success of the revegetation;
•
describe how livestock will be excluded from areas undergoing active
revegetation (i.e. planting or seeding); and
•
soil used for rehabilitation or as mulch.
The BMP will:
•
describe that vehicle access will be predominantly restricted to designated tracks
to minimise ground disturbance (e.g. compaction); and
•
describe site preparation in cleared land (e.g. ripping or use of spiked rollers) and
(where relevant) in derived grassland (e.g. use of spiked rollers) to reduce soil
compaction impacting the success of the revegetation.
•
to minimise ground disturbance (e.g. compaction);
•
Restriction of vehicle access to avoid unnecessary ground
disturbance (DSE, 2005; Eddy, 2002).
•
describe provision of fencing and signage around the perimeter of the offset
areas to exclude livestock and avoid accidental clearance; and
•
Fencing and signage.
•
restrict the use of revegetation techniques that involve high level of physical
disturbance in existing Box-Gum Woodland and derived grasslands.
DRAFT
•
Management of topsoil seed resource.
The RMP will:
•
Soil seed bank germination testing (rehabilitation trials).
•
•
Supplementary seeding/tube stock planting (Gibson-Roy et al.,
2010).
provide soil handling processes for removal, storage and re-layering of topsoil and
subsoil (consistent with Condition 25[d] of the Approval Decision EPBC
2011/5923). This will specifically detail the stripping of topsoil likely to contain
seeds;
•
provide for soil seed bank germination testing to be undertaken on topsoil
stockpiles; and
•
describe a contingency for supplementary seeding/tube stock planting if the
regeneration from the soil seed bank is not sufficient.
Offset Areas
•
Supplementary seeding/tube stock planting.
The BMP will favour natural regeneration in the derived grasslands and woodland
areas over seeding or planting in the first instance followed by seeding or planting if
required.
•
The RMP will:
•
•
EPBC 2011/5923).
•
Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923);
•
(consistent with Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923);
•
2011/5923). This will specifically detail the stripping of topsoil likely to contain
seeds; and
•
provide for annual soil balances to be undertaken to facilitate management of soil
handling.
Annual soil balances to manage soil handling.
00646570.DOCX
on mine landforms that have been revegetated to minimise ground disturbance
(e.g. compaction);
The BMP will:
•
9
•
Avoidance of revegetation techniques that involve high level of
physical disturbance (i.e. cultivation, ripping and excavation)
(Eddy, 2002; DECCW, 2011).
2010])
1h.
9
Actions
The RMP will:
11
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
1j.
1k.
Relevant Objective
Poor soil water holding capacity (Eddy,
2002)
Instability of the final landform
Actions
•
Amelioration of soils with compost/woody debris.
The RMP will:
•
Selective placement of soils.
•
•
Addition of woody debris (Harmon et al., 1986; Debeljak, 2006;
Manning et al., 2013; Goldin and Brookhouse, 2014).
growth media (e.g. amelioration with agricultural gypsum, compost [i.e. mulch
saved during clearing activities] or native plant fertilisers depending on the
nutrient deficiency);
•
use as a growth media; and
•
soil used for rehabilitation or as mulch.
•
describe matching flora to landform position.
•
The RMP will:
•
Selective placement of soils.
•
•
Use of benign (hard rock) mulch to stabilise batter surfaces.
describe how the batter slopes would be designed to minimise instability of the
final landform;
•
use as a growth media; and
•
consider the use of benign (hard rock) mulch to stabilise batter surfaces that has
been sourced onsite (i.e. salvaged from clearing areas or from waste material).
DRAFT
1l.
Poor drainage of the final landform
(Eddy, 2002)
1m. Lack of soil mycorrhizae (Jasper, 2007)
Mine Rehabilitation - Establishment of Box-Gum
•
The RMP will
•
Amelioration of soils with compost.
•
describe how the batter slopes have been designed to minimise instability of the
final landform; and
•
growth media (e.g. amelioration with agricultural gypsum, compost [ie. mulch
saved during clearing activities] or native plant fertilisers depending on the
nutrient deficiency).
•
Application of minimum topsoil and subsoil depths.
The RMP will:
•
•
describe minimum topsoil and subsoil depths for revegetation.
•
(consistent with Condition 25[c] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923).
•
2011/5923), including the length and mode of topsoil storage. This will
specifically detail the stripping of topsoil likely to contain seeds.
•
2. Clearing
2a.
Incidental clearing, fragmentation and
fire wood collection
EPBC 2011/5923).
•
Use of rhizobial bacteria inoculants for acacia (CSIRO, 2005).
•
Restriction on clearing.
The RMP will describe that revegetation at the mine would not be cleared (unless for
ecological thinning, maintenance or access for monitoring).
•
Restriction on clearing.
The BMP will:
•
Restriction on fire wood collection.
•
•
Use of low disturbance methods for site preparation in derived
grasslands and existing Box-Gum Woodland.
describe a restriction of clearing (unless for ecological thinning of density
regrowth [i.e. selective removal of regrowth trees or shrubs], maintenance or
access for monitoring);
•
not permit firewood collection;
•
describe provision of fencing and signage around the perimeter of the offset
areas to manage livestock (i.e. exclusion or controlled entry of livestock for
specific purposes) and avoid accidental clearance;
•
aim to maximise the re-use of existing infrastructure (e.g. access roads) instead
of creating new infrastructure; and
•
aim to locate new offset area management infrastructure (e.g. access roads)
preferentially in cleared land.
2010])
00646570.DOCX
DRAFT
12
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
3.
Livestock
4. Introduced flora species
(weeds)
3a.
4a.
Relevant Objective
Grazing by cattle – ground disturbance,
remove or destroy seeds, seedlings or
plantings (DSE, 2005; Rawlings et al.,
2010)
Weed invasion – perennial and annual
grasses, perennial herbs, annual and
biennial herbs and woody weeds (DSE,
2005; Rawlings et al., 2010; GibsonRoy et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011)
•
Fencing of areas undergoing revegetation to exclude grazing
livestock and prevent grazing of seedlings (Eddy, 2002).
•
Maintenance of fencing used to exclude livestock.
Offset Areas
•
The RMP will:
•
describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control weeds. The RMP will also
describe relevant targets and performance indicators for weed management
(consistent with Condition 25[a] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923);
•
provide for establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable following
disturbance to minimise the potential for erosion and weeds. This will involve the
application of a temporary sterile cover crop (or native grasses) using species
that are not likely to impede revegetation of the Box-Gum Woodland;
•
Establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable following
disturbance (Condition 25[b] of the Approval Decision EPBC
2011/5923).
•
Application of a temporary sterile cover crop, or native grass
covercrop established from native hays.
•
Minimal unnecessary ground disturbance that may create
opportunities for weeds (Rawlings et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011).
•
Nutrient management (e.g. exclusion of grazing livestock which
add nutrients) (Prober et al., 2002; Rawlings et al., 2010).
provide application rates for seeds as well as planting densities for tube stock to
avoid excessive shading; and
•
include sowing of Kangaroo Grass (as this species has been known to outcompete annual grass weeds and provide inter tussock spaces for a diversity of
ground cover species [eg. wildflowers]).
•
DRAFT
Weed control (Condition 25[a] of the Approval Decision EPBC
2011/5923).
Actions
The RMP will describe how livestock will be excluded from areas undergoing active
revegetation (i.e. planting or seeding).
•
General weed hygiene (e.g. avoiding driving through weed
infestations) (DECCW, 2011).
•
Correct spacing for species when planting seedlings to avoid
excessive shading (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Provisions to identify new invasive plant species (e.g. weed
monitoring).
•
Weed management options:
-
Physical Removal (e.g. removing weeds by felling or
pulling) (Gibson-Roy et al., 2010; Rawlings et al., 2010).
-
Herbicides (minimised through spot-spraying, basal
spraying, stem injection or cut and paint application
methods) (DSE, 2005; Rawlings et al., 2010; DECCW,
2011).
DRAFT
•
Sowing of Kangaroo Grass to outcompete annual grass weeds
(Prober et al., 2002; Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
opportunities for weeds (Eddy, 2002; DSE, 2005; Rawlings et
al., 2010).
The BMP will:
Light grazing in autumn and/or winter to reduce vigour of
10
annual grass weeds (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
•
2010])
•
•
opportunities for weeds (Eddy, 2002; DSE, 2005; Rawlings et
al., 2010).
•
5. Herbicide
5a.
Excessive herbicides – may have a
negative effects on native species
(Eddy, 2002)
All areas
•
Use herbicides sparingly (minimised through spot-spraying,
basal spraying, stem injection or cut and paint application
methods) (DSE, 2005; Rawlings et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011).
6. Impacts from Animals
(exotics and grazing
native animals)
6a.
Grazing by feral pigs and goats –
remove or destroy seeds, seedlings or
plantings (Eddy, 2002; Rawlings et al.,
2010; DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Monitoring and control feral pigs and goats (Eddy, 2002;
Rawlings et al., 2010).
10
•
Use of tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing or
grazing (Rawlings et al., 2010).
00646570.DOCX
13
avoid excessive shading;
provide the following weed management options:
-
Nutrient management.
-
Controlled burns (except in revegetation areas) during spring to reduce
annual and perennial grass weeds (not broadleaf exotics).
-
Physical Removal (e.g. removing weeds by felling or pulling).
-
Targeted and timely herbicide application.
include sowing of Kangaroo Grass (as this species has been known to outcompete annual grass weeds and provide inter tussock spaces for a diversity of
ground cover species [eg. wildflowers]).
The RMP and BMP will provide methods for the use of herbicides (minimised through
spot-spraying, basal spraying, stem injection or cut and paint application methods).
The RMP and BMP will:
•
describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control feral animals (including feral
pigs, goats, rabbits and foxes); and
•
provide an option for using tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing
or grazing native animals.
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
6. Impacts from Animals
(exotics and grazing
native animals) (Cont.)
Relevant Objective
Actions
6b.
Rabbits and hares (Eddy, 2002; DSE,
2005; DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Monitoring and control of rabbits and hares (Eddy, 2002; DSE,
2005; Rawlings et al., 2010).
The RMP and BMP will describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control feral
animals (including feral pigs, goats, rabbits and foxes).
6c.
Grazing native fauna species (e.g.
kangaroos) (DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Use of tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing or
grazing (Rawlings et al. 2010).
The RMP and BMP will provide:
•
Fencing farm dams.
•
an option for using tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing or
grazing native animals.
•
provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures.
6d.
Feral foxes (Eddy, 2002; DECCW,
2011)
All areas
•
Monitoring and control of feral foxes (Eddy, 2002; Rawlings et
al., 2010).
6e.
Honeybees (DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Management of honeybees .
6f.
Deer (DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Management of Deer.
The BMP will provide monitoring of deer and feral cats and control (if required).
6g.
Feral Cat (Eddy, 2002; DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Management of the Feral Cat.
The BMP will provide monitoring of deer and feral cats and control (if required).
6h.
Other Invasive Fauna
All areas
•
Provisions to identify new invasive fauna species (e.g. fauna
monitoring).
The BMP will provide provisions to identify new invasive fauna species (e.g. fauna
monitoring).
7a.
Uncontrolled bushfire (DECCW, 2011)
•
No controlled burns whilst vegetation is establishing.
•
Maintain fire breaks and access.
The RMP will describe measures to prevent fires, such as maintaining fire breaks and
access (i.e. no controlled burns would be undertaken on the mine rehabilitation whilst
vegetation is establishing).
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
The RMP and BMP will describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control feral
animals (including feral pigs, goats, rabbits and foxes).
11
-
DRAFT
7. Fire
2010])
7b.
Controlled burns – too infrequent - may
result in overexposure of soil, erosive
processes and weed invasion, or too
frequent - may result in loss of species
diversity (Gibson-Roy et al., 2010;
DECCW, 2011)
12
•
Controlled grazing to reduce biomass (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
DECCW (2011) suggests fire frequency should be a minimum
interval of 5 years and a maximum interval of 40 years.
Rawlings et al., (2010) recommends fire frequency in patches
should be every 4 to 8 years.
DRAFT
•
Spring or autumn burns depending on a range of factors
(Gibson-Roy et al., 2010; Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
DECCW (2011) suggests fire frequency should be a minimum
interval of 5 years and a maximum interval of 40 years.
Rawlings et al. (2010) recommends fire frequency in patches
should be every 4 to 8 years.
•
Assess fuel loads.
•
Spring or autumn burns depending on a range of factors
(Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Controlled burns should be undertaken in a mosaic (i.e. retain
some unburned areas (DECCW, 2011).
•
2010])
11
12
Not proposed.
00646570.DOCX
14
The BMP will:
•
describe measures to prevent fires, such as maintaining fire breaks and access
(i.e. no controlled burns would be undertaken whilst vegetation is establishing);
•
prescribe any controlled burns in patches of Box-Gum Woodland EEC to be no
less than 5 years and then to occur in spring or autumn burns depending on a
range of factors;
•
schedule for maintenance of fire breaks and fire trails; and
•
provide a schedule for assessing fuel loads.
The RMP will describe measures to prevent fires, such as maintaining fire breaks and
access (i.e. no controlled burns would be undertaken on the mine rehabilitation whilst
vegetation is establishing).
The BMP will prescribe any controlled burns in patches of Box-Gum Woodland EEC
(existing woodland) to be no less than 5 years and then to occur in spring or autumn
burns depending on a range of factors.
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
8. Floristics
8a.
Relevant Objective
Poor diversity in the seed mix or tube
stock
8b.
Unsuitable species in the seed mix or
tube stock
Monitoring of plant growth and survival (Rawlings et al., 2010).
The RMP will:
•
Strategic and long term seed collection, management and
storage.
•
describe how the growth and survival of the vegetation sown or planted will be
monitored; and
•
Site preparation and depth of sowing seed.
•
•
Supplementary planting or reseeding of absent species.
describe procedures for strategic and long term seed collection, management
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines. The RMP will describe
procedures for sowing seed (e.g. appropriate sowing depths).
•
Favour natural regeneration over seeding or planting in the first
instance followed by seeding or planting if required
(McIntyre, 2002).
Shortage of sufficient seed or tube stock
Poor understorey diversity
8f.
00646570.DOCX
Lack of pollinators
•
describe procedures for sowing seed (e.g. appropriate sowing depths); and
•
favour natural regeneration in the derived grasslands and woodland areas over
seeding or planting in the first instance followed by seeding or planting if required.
The RMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic (adapted) species,
however consideration would be given to the use of a high quality seed source further
from the site over a low quality more local seed source.
•
Favour natural regeneration over seeding or planting in the first
instance followed by seeding or planting if required (McIntyre,
2002).
The BMP will:
All areas
•
All areas
Review commercial seed and tube stock availability.
•
Planting of trees and shrubs at appropriate densities (DECCW,
2011).
•
Use local endemic (adapted) species (Eddy, 2002; Rawlings et
al., 2010).
•
Restore linkages to existing woodland patches.
•
All areas
All areas
•
provide for the preferential use of local endemic (adapted) species, however
consideration would be given to the use of a high quality seed source further from
the site over a low quality more local seed source; and
•
seeding or planting in the first instance followed by seeding or planting if required.
The RMP and BMP will describe a seed and tube stock supply strategy including
calculation of the amount and species of seed and tube stock required each year and
how the seed and tube stock will be sourced and managed to meet the demand.
•
•
Assess whether ecological thinning is necessary (Rawlings et
al., 2010).
the site over a low quality more local seed source;
•
Consider causing disturbance (e.g. through fire or grazing)
(Eddy, 2002).
include provision to assess vegetation density and undertake ecological thinning
(e.g. through selective clearance or fire) if necessary;
•
Include a wide diversity of species in the seed mix (Gibson-Roy
et al., 2010).
provide measures to improve understorey diversity (e.g. replanting, causing
disturbance through fire or grazing); and
•
aim to include a wide diversity of species in the seed mix.
•
Review commercial seed and tube stock availability.
•
Preferential use of local endemic (adapted) species (Rawlings
et al., 2010), however use of a high quality seed source over a
low quality more local seed source (Broadhurst et al., 2006a;
Broadhurst et al., 2006b; Broadhurst et al., 2008 in DECCW,
2011).
•
describe a seed and tube stock supply strategy including calculation of the
amount and species of seed and tube stock required each year and how the seed
and tube stock will be sourced and managed to meet the demand; and
•
the site over a low quality more local seed source.
Promotion of bees through provision of habitat (e.g. general
revegetation and regeneration).
The RMP and BMP will describe revegetation and regeneration measures.
•
Over-collection of seed for revegetation
purposes (Eddy, 2002; DECCW, 2011)
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines;
low quality more local seed source (Broadhurst et al., 2008 in
DECCW, 2011).
•
8e.
•
•
DRAFT
8d.
The BMP will:
DRAFT
8c.
Actions
•
•
15
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
9. Native plant growth
9a.
Relevant Objective
Poor native plant growth
Actions
•
The RMP will:
•
13
animals (e.g. livestock) .
•
•
grazing animals.
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines. The RMP will describe
procedures for sowing seed (e.g. appropriate sowing depths);
•
describe how livestock will be excluded from areas undergoing active
revegetation (i.e. planting or seeding);
•
•
describe research that will aim to identify effective methodologies for achieving
rehabilitation and revegetation of Box-Gum Woodland on the mine rehabilitation;
•
the site over a low quality more local seed source; and
provide for selective use of slow-release fertiliser to promote plant growth (if
required) including the use of trace elements. .
•
•
Supplementary seeding or planting.
•
Revegetation trials.
•
DECCW, 2011).
•
Selective use of specific fertilisers only.
•
•
The BMP will:
•
livestock.
•
•
grazing animals.
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines. The BMP will describe
procedures for sowing seed (e.g. appropriate sowing depths);
•
•
seeding or planting in the first instance followed by seeding or planting if required;
and
DRAFT
•
•
•
DECCW, 2011).
•
the site over a low quality more local seed source.
•
•
•
DECCW, 2011).
The BMP will favour natural regeneration in the derived grasslands and woodland
areas over seeding or planting in the first instance followed by seeding or planting
if required.
•
The RMP and BMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic
(adapted) species, however consideration would be given to the use of a high
quality seed source further from the site over a low quality more local seed
source.
DRAFT
9b.
9c.
13
14
Poor seed germination
All areas
14
•
Smoke water .
•
Seed scarification for acacia or heat treatment.
•
Assess whether ecological thinning is necessary (Rawlings et
al., 2010).
•
Thinning with fire or manually (Rawlings et al., 2010).
Dense overstorey and midstorey
revegetation (e.g. White Cypress Pine)
– sometimes regeneration is too
successful and trees may compete with
each other for light, water and nutrients
(Rawlings et al., 2010; DECCW, 2011)
All areas
9d.
Dense grass cover
All areas
•
Consider causing disturbance (e.g. through fire or grazing)
The RMP and BMP will provide measures to improve understorey diversity (e.g.
replanting, causing disturbance through fire or grazing).
9e.
Disease (e.g. Phytophthora cinnamomi)
(DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Hygiene protocols to minimise the risk of plant diseases
The RMP and BMP will include hygiene protocols to minimise the risk of plant
diseases (i.e. restricting site access).
9f.
Fungi or pathogens – may cause
germination failure (seeds) (Rawlings et
al., 2010).
All areas
•
DECCW, 2011).
The RMP and BMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic (adapted)
species, however consideration would be given to the use of a high quality seed
source further from the site over a low quality more local seed source.
Native animals would not be excluded. Feral animals would be controlled via other methods.
00646570.DOCX
16
The RMP and BMP will include provision to assess vegetation density and undertake
ecological thinning (e.g. through selective clearance or fire) if necessary.
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
10. Fauna habitat
Relevant Objective
Actions
10a. Lack of bush rocks (Michael et al.,
2011)
All areas
•
Maximise salvage and reuse of bush rocks.
The RMP will describe procedures to reuse bush rocks salvaged during vegetation
clearance.
10b. Lack of fallen timber/hollow logs
(DECCW, 2011)
All areas
•
Maximise salvage and reuse of timber/hollow logs.
The RMP will describe procedures to reuse timber/hollow logs salvaged during
vegetation clearance, including:
•
10c. Lack of structural diversity (including
lack of tree hollows) (Manning et al.,
2011; Michael et al., 2011;
Freudenberger et al., 2004)
All areas
•
Planting of scattered low shrubs, mid-sized shrubs and tall
trees (Freudenberger et al., 2004).
•
Maximise salvage and reuse of timber/hollow logs and
placement of hollow limbs in trees without hollows.
•
Increase woodland patch size within the offset area (Prober et
al. 2002).
placement of hollow limbs or artificial hollows in some select trees without
hollows; and
•
use of artificial stag trees on the mine rehabilitation.
•
The RMP and BMP will describe that seed and tube stock used in revegetation
will include a variety of grasses, low shrubs, mid-sized shrubs and tall trees to
create structurally diverse habitat.
The RMP will:
•
describe procedures to reuse bush rocks salvaged during vegetation clearance;
and
•
describe procedures to reuse timber/hollow logs salvaged during vegetation
clearance, including:
DRAFT
•
11. Surrounding land uses
11a. Agriculture – pesticides and herbicides
11b. Agriculture – exotic species (including
incursions of stock and feral animals)
12. Weather
Offset Areas
Offset Areas
16
17
Increase woodland patch size within the offset area (Rawlings
et al., 2010).
•
Communication with surrounding land users (either NPWS or
private).
•
et al., 2010).
•
Communication with surrounding land users (either NPWS or
private).
•
Fencing and signage.
•
Co-ordinated management of exotic species with surrounding
land users.
-
The BMP will focus on increasing woodland patch size within the offset area and
aim to enhance ecological connectivity.
The BMP will:
•
focus on increasing woodland patch size within the offset area and aim to
enhance ecological connectivity; and
•
include a description of the Community Consultative Committee.
11c. Agriculture – increased runoff
Offset Areas
•
et al., 2010).
11d. Agriculture – nutrient enrichment
Offset Areas
•
et al., 2010).
12a. Drought
•
Monitoring for signs of water stress (dieback).
The RMP will:
•
grazing animals.
•
monitored;
•
Irrigation.
•
•
Mulch.
soil used for rehabilitation or as mulch;
•
include provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures; and
•
pigs, goats, rabbits and foxes).
•
Monitoring for signs of water stress (dieback).
The BMP will:
•
Limit grazing during drought periods (DECCW, 2011).
•
•
grazing animals.
monitored;
•
discuss an adaptive management framework and monitoring programme for the
management of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC;
•
include provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures; and
•
pigs, goats, rabbits and foxes).
15
16
•
Irrigation .
•
Mulch .
17
Native animals would not be limited during drought periods. General feral animal control measures would continue.
00646570.DOCX
placement of hollow limbs or artificial hollows in some select trees without
hollows; and
DRAFT
15
•
-
17
Table 2 (Continued)
Broad Factor
12. Weather (Cont.)
Relevant Objective
Refer to 1d. Erosion and sedimentation.
12c. Wind
All areas
•
Only use healthy seedlings (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
•
Use of tree guards to protect young seedlings (Rawlings et al.,
2010).
The RMP and BMP will provide an option for using tree guards to protect young
seedlings from browsing or grazing native animals.
•
The RMP will provide for establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable
following disturbance to minimise the potential for erosion and weeds. This will
involve the application of a temporary sterile cover crop (or native grasses) using
species that are not likely to impede revegetation of the Box-Gum Woodland.
•
Restoration of Box-Gum Woodland (DECCW, 2011).
•
•
Use of genetically diverse collections of seed sourced from
large and health populations.
The BMP will focus on increasing woodland patch size within the offset area and
aim to enhance ecological connectivity.
•
•
Increase woodland patch size within the offset area (to provide
links for movement of plant propagules and fauna).
The RMP and BMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic
(adapted) species, however consideration would be given to the use of a high
quality seed source further from the site over a low quality more local seed
source.
•
Provide increased connectivity through revegetation of derived
grassland.
•
Define objectives (Eddy, 2002; Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
Management for patchiness (diversity) (Rawlings et al., 2010).
•
define the objectives for the Box-Gum Woodland EEC; and
•
discuss an adaptive management framework and monitoring programme for the
management of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC.
All areas
DRAFT
13a. Unclear objectives
All areas
13b. Lack of maintenance
All areas
•
Adaptive management (Rawlings et al., 2010; Tongway and
Ludwig, 2011).
13c. Poor monitoring design (measurement
of success)
All areas
•
Monitor to determine effectiveness (Eddy, 2002; DECCW,
2011).
•
Monitoring closely linked to objectives.
•
Use of photo-points to monitor changes over time (Eddy, 2002).
•
Engage suitability qualified personnel.
13d. Unqualified personnel
All areas
DRAFT
Note: The highlighted rows relate only to the Rehabilitation Strategy.
00646570.DOCX
Actions
All areas
12d. Climate change (DECCW, 2011)
13. Management
12b. Flood/major rainfall
18
-
The RMP and BMP will describe roles for suitability qualified personnel (e.g.
restoration ecologist to provide direction about the rehabilitation and restoration of the
Box-Gum Woodland EEC).
4
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
There are two parts to the implementation plan:
•
the first part of the implementation plan relates to re-establishment of Box-Gum Woodland on the
mine rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Strategy) (Table 3); and
•
the second part of the implementation plan relates to re-establishment and restoration of
Box-Gum Woodland in the offset areas (Biodiversity Offset Strategy) (Table 4).
The investigation has resulted in the identification of 48 individual actions relating to the Rehabilitation
Strategy (Table 3) and 39 individual actions relating to the Biodiversity Offset Strategy (Table 4). Once
approved by Department of Planning and Environment, the actions in Table 3 will be addressed in a
revised RMP and the actions in Table 4 will be addressed in a revised BMP (Figure 4).
The actions listed in Table 3 will apply to different situations associated with rehabilitation of the mine
disturbance areas. For example, some actions may be relevant to the revegetation of less disturbed
areas (such as the soil stockpile locations or infrastructure areas) and others would be relevant to the
revegetation of more disturbed areas (such as the backfilled mine void and waste dumps). The
application of the actions will be described in the RMP.
DRAFT
Similarly, all of the actions listed in Table 4 may not necessarily apply across the entire offset area and
will depend on the situation such as the current condition of the vegetation. For example, weed control
may only be relevant to particular weed infested areas. Particular actions may also be trialled in
certain areas to determine which are more effective. The application of the actions will be further
detailed in a revision to the BMP.
The actions listed in Tables 3 and 4 are not necessarily the only actions that will be considered in the
future to improve the prospects of the Rehabilitation Strategy and Biodiversity Offset Strategy. Actions
may be modified over time to adapt to management outcomes, new threatening processes (e.g. a new
weed incursion) or to apply new techniques and technologies. Any changes will be facilitated through
revisions to the BMP.
DRAFT
As described in Section 1, the aim is to re-establish Box-Gum Woodland in these two landscapes:
1.
through enhancement of existing woodland remnants of the Box-Gum Woodland in varying
conditions; and
2.
in cleared (mostly grazing) land with predominantly native grassland groundcover (derived
grasslands).
These landscapes have different degrees of ecological resilience and management requirements.
However, regardless of the landscape, it is recognised that detailed planning from the outset can help
improve the prospects for achieving the aims (refer to Actions 1-5 in Table 3 and Actions 1 to 9 in
Table 4). For example, the BMP will include a visual inspection of each mapped vegetation
management unit in each offset area to identify constraints and requirements for specific management
measures (refer to Action 3 in Table 4).
A brief description of each landscape is provided below in relation to the actions in Tables 3 and 4.
These actions would be detailed in a spatially explicit manner within the revised RMP and revised
BMP.
00646570.DOCX
19
Landscape 1 - Post-mine Landform
Landscape 1 (the post-mine landform) will require the greatest attention to achieve a suitable
substrate through landform design, dedicated soil stripping and handling, soil testing and amelioration
as well as surface preparation (refer to Actions 5 to 18 in Table 3).
Adaptive management and research will be integral to successful revegetation of the post-mine
landforms (refer to Actions 19 to 21 in Table 3).
Landscape 1 will likely have little ecological resilience (except that which may be provided through
maintenance of the soil seed bank in topsoil) so this landscape will require active revegetation using
seed or tube stock (refer to Actions 22 to 41in Table 3).
Habitat features (logs, rocks, hollows and nest boxes) also need to be purposely added into
Landscape 1 (refer to Actions 43 to 44 in Table 3).
Table 3
Implementation Plan for Re-establishing Box-Gum Woodland in the Mine Rehabilitation Phase
DRAFT
Actions for Implementing the Rehabilitation Strategy in the RMP
Planning
1.
The RMP will define the objectives for the Box-Gum Woodland EEC.
2.
The RMP will discuss an adaptive management framework and monitoring programme for the management of the
Box-Gum Woodland EEC.
3.
The RMP will include monitoring of landscape function.
4.
The RMP will describe roles for suitability qualified personnel (e.g. restoration ecologist to provide direction about the
rehabilitation and restoration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC).
Landform Design
5.
DRAFT
The RMP will describe how the batter slopes have been designed to minimise instability of the final landform.
Soil Stripping and Handling
6.
The RMP will provide for soil surveys and inventories to be undertaken prior to soil stripping (consistent with Condition
7.
The RMP will provide for selective identification and placement (burial) of potentially acid forming interburden materials.
8.
The RMP will provide for selective identification and placement (burial) of soils unsuitable for use as a growth media.
9.
The RMP will provide soil handling processes for removal, storage and re-layering of topsoil and subsoil (consistent with
Condition 25[d] of the Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923). This will specifically detail the stripping of topsoil likely to
contain seeds.
10.
The RMP will provide for annual soil balances to be undertaken to facilitate management of soil handling.
11.
The RMP will provide options for minimising the risk of erosion including treatment of dispersive soils and spoils, as well
as use of use of structural erosion controls (e.g. channel banks, slope drains and energy dissipaters).
12.
The RMP will describe minimum topsoil and subsoil depths for revegetation (consistent with Condition 25[c] of the
Approval Decision EPBC 2011/5923).
13.
The RMP will describe the incorporation of vegetative material (cleared at the mine site) into the soil used for
rehabilitation or as mulch.
Soil Testing
14.
The RMP will provide parameters for the physical and chemical characteristics of topsoils and overburden based on
likely suitable characteristics for establishment of Box-Gum Woodland.
15.
The RMP will provide for soil testing to be undertaken on topsoil and overburden to identify issues with physical and
chemical characteristics as well as determine amelioration requirements and rates.
Soil Amelioration
16.
The RMP will describe options for ameliorating soils to improve the suitability of the soils as a growth media (e.g.
amelioration with agricultural gypsum, compost [i.e. mulch saved during clearing activities] or native plant fertilisers
depending on the nutrient deficiency).
00646570.DOCX
20
Table 3 (Continued)
Implementation Plan for Re-establishing Box-Gum Woodland in the Mine Rehabilitation Phase
Surface Preparation
17.
The RMP will describe site preparation (e.g. ripping or use of spiked rollers) to reduce soil compaction impacting the
success of the revegetation.
18.
The RMP will consider the use of benign (hard rock) mulch to stabilise batter surfaces that has been sourced onsite (i.e.
salvaged from clearing areas or from waste material).
Research Trials
19.
The RMP will describe research that will aim to identify effective methodologies for achieving rehabilitation and
revegetation of Box-Gum Woodland on the mine rehabilitation.
20.
The RMP will provide for soil seed bank germination testing to be undertaken on topsoil stockpiles.
21.
The RMP will provide for rehabilitation trials (focusing on rehabilitation and revegetation of Box-Gum Woodland) to be
undertaken on different rehabilitation substrates.
Seed and Tube Stock Supply
22.
The RMP will describe procedures for strategic and long term seed collection, management (including pre-treatment)
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines. The RMP will describe procedures for sowing seed (e.g.
appropriate sowing depths).
DRAFT
23.
The RMP will describe a seed and tube stock supply strategy including calculation of the amount and species of seed
and tube stock required each year and how the seed and tube stock will be sourced and managed to meet the demand.
24.
The RMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic (adapted) species, however consideration would be given
to the use of a high quality seed source further from the site over a low quality more local seed source.
Revegetation
25.
The RMP will provide for establishing vegetation cover as soon as practicable following disturbance to minimise the
potential for erosion and weeds. This will involve the application of a temporary sterile cover crop (or native grasses)
using species that are not likely to impede revegetation of the Box-Gum Woodland.
26.
The RMP will provide options for remediating erosion including adjust seed and planning densities to maximise ground
cover.
27.
The RMP will describe that vehicle access will be predominantly restricted to designated tracks on mine landforms that
have been revegetated to minimise ground disturbance (e.g. compaction).
DRAFT
28.
The RMP will provide for selective use of slow-release native plant fertiliser to promote plant growth (if required).
29.
The RMP will provide for the use of fresh topsoil where possible and practical.
30.
The RMP will describe a contingency for supplementary seeding/tube stock planting if the regeneration from the soil
seed bank is not sufficient.
31.
The RMP will provide application rates for seeds as well as planting densities for tube stock to avoid excessive shading.
32.
The RMP will provide measures to improve understorey diversity (e.g. replanting, causing disturbance through fire or
grazing).
33.
The RMP will describe that revegetation at the mine would not be cleared (unless for ecological thinning, maintenance
or ecological monitoring).
34.
The RMP will include provision to assess vegetation density and undertake ecological thinning (e.g. through selective
clearance or fire) if necessary.
35.
The RMP include sowing of Kangaroo Grass (as this species has been known to out-compete annual grass weeds and
provide inter tussock spaces for a diversity of ground cover species [eg. wildflowers]).
36.
The RMP will describe that seed and tube stock used in revegetation will include a variety of grasses, low shrubs, midsized shrubs and tall trees to create structurally diverse habitat.
37.
The RMP will provide an option for using tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing or grazing native
animals.
38.
The RMP will describe how livestock will be excluded from areas undergoing active revegetation (i.e. planting or
seeding).
39.
The RMP will describe how the growth and survival of the vegetation sown or planted will be monitored.
40.
The RMP will aim to include a wide diversity of species in the seed mix.
41.
The RMP will include hygiene protocols to minimise the risk of plant diseases (i.e. restricting site access).
42.
The RMP will include provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures.
00646570.DOCX
21
Table 3 (Continued)
Implementation Plan for Re-establishing Box-Gum Woodland on Mine Rehabilitation
Habitat Features
43.
The RMP will describe procedures to reuse bush rocks salvaged during vegetation clearance.
44.
The RMP will describe procedures to reuse timber/hollow logs salvaged during vegetation clearance, including:
-
placement of hollow limbs or artificial hollows in some select trees without hollows; and
-
Feral Animal Management
45.
The RMP will describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control feral animals (including feral pigs, goats, rabbits and
foxes).
Weed Management
46.
The RMP will describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control weeds. The RMP will also describe relevant targets
and performance indicators for weed management (consistent with Condition 25[a] of the Approval Decision EPBC
2011/5923)
47.
The RMP will provide methods for the use of herbicides (minimised through spot-spraying, basal spraying, stem
injection or cut and paint application methods).
Fire Management
48.
DRAFT
The RMP will describe measures to prevent fires, such as maintaining fire breaks and access (i.e. no controlled burns
would be undertaken on the mine rehabilitation whilst vegetation is establishing).
Table 4
Actions for Implementing the Biodiversity Offset Strategy in the BMP
Planning
DRAFT
1.
The BMP will define the objectives for the Box-Gum Woodland EEC.
2.
The BMP will discuss an adaptive management framework and monitoring programme for the management of the
Box-Gum Woodland EEC.
3.
The BMP will include a visual inspection of each mapped vegetation management unit in each offset area to identify
constraints and requirements for specific management measures.
4.
The BMP will describe targeted revegetation along drainage lines and scalded areas to minimise risk of erosion.
5.
The BMP will aim to maximise the re-use of existing infrastructure (e.g. access roads) instead of creating new
infrastructure.
6.
The BMP will aim to locate new offset area management infrastructure (e.g. access roads) preferentially in cleared land.
7.
The BMP will aim to locate new offset area management infrastructure (e.g. access roads) in stable locations.
8.
The BMP will describe provision of fencing and signage around the perimeter of the offset areas to exclude livestock
and avoid accidental clearance.
9.
The BMP will describe roles for suitability qualified personnel (e.g. restoration ecologist to provide direction about the
rehabilitation and restoration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC).
Surface Preparation
10.
The BMP will describe site preparation in cleared land (e.g. ripping or use of spiked rollers) and (where relevant) in
derived grassland (e.g. use of spiked rollers) to reduce soil compaction impacting the success of the revegetation.
11.
The BMP will restrict the use of revegetation techniques that involve high level of physical disturbance in existing BoxGum Woodland and derived grasslands.
Revegetation, Seeds and Tube Stock
12.
The BMP will describe a seed and tube stock supply strategy including calculation of the amount and species of seed
and tube stock required each year and how the seed and tube stock will be sourced and managed to meet the demand.
13.
The BMP will describe procedures for strategic and long term seed collection, management (including pre-treatment)
and storage following the relevant Florabank guidelines. The BMP will describe procedures for sowing seed (e.g.
appropriate sowing depths).
00646570.DOCX
22
Table 4 (Continued)
Revegetation, Seeds and Tube Stock (Cont.)
14.
The BMP will favour natural regeneration in the derived grasslands and woodland areas over seeding or planting in the
first instance followed by seeding or planting if required.
15.
The BMP will provide for the preferential use of local endemic (adapted) species, however consideration would be given
to the use of a high quality seed source further from the site over a low quality more local seed source.
16.
The BMP will provide application rates for seeds as well as planting densities for tube stock to avoid excessive shading.
17.
The BMP will focus on increasing woodland patch size within the offset area and aim to enhance ecological connectivity.
18.
The BMP will describe that seed and tube stock used in revegetation will include a variety of grasses, low shrubs, midsized shrubs and tall trees to create structurally diverse habitat.
19.
The BMP include sowing of Kangaroo Grass (as this species has been known to out-compete annual grass weeds and
provide inter tussock spaces for a diversity of ground cover species [eg. wildflowers]).
20.
The BMP will aim to include a wide diversity of species in the seed mix.
21.
The BMP will include provision to review the need for kangaroo control measures.
Maintenance
DRAFT
22.
The BMP will include provision to assess vegetation density and undertake ecological thinning (e.g. through selective
clearance or fire) if necessary.
23.
The BMP will provide measures to improve understorey diversity (e.g. replanting, causing disturbance through fire or
grazing).
24.
The BMP will provide for selective use of slow-release native plant fertiliser to promote plant growth (if required).
25.
The BMP will provide an option for using tree guards to protect young seedlings from browsing or grazing native
animals.
26.
The BMP will describe how the growth and survival of the vegetation sown or planted will be monitored.
27.
The BMP will include hygiene protocols to minimise the risk of plant diseases (i.e. restricting site access).
28.
The BMP will describe a restriction of clearing (unless for ecological thinning, maintenance or access for monitoring).
DRAFT
Habitat Features
29.
The BMP will not permit firewood collection.
Weed Management
30.
The BMP will provide the following weed management options and the relevant situations where they would be applied:
-
31.
Nutrient management (e.g. exclusion of grazing livestock which add nutrients).
-
Controlled burns during spring to reduce annual and perennial grass weeds (not broadleaf exotics).
-
Physical Removal (e.g. removing weeds by felling or pulling).
-
Targeted and timely herbicide application.
The BMP will provide methods for the use of herbicides (minimised through spot-spraying, basal spraying, stem
injection or cut and paint application methods).
Feral Animal Management
32.
The BMP will describe procedures to prevent, monitor and control feral animals (including feral pigs, goats, rabbits and
foxes).
Fire Management
33.
The BMP will describe measures to prevent fires, such as maintaining fire breaks and access (i.e. no controlled burns
would be undertaken whilst vegetation is establishing).
34.
The BMP will prescribe any controlled burns in patches of Box-Gum Woodland EEC (existing woodland) to be no less
than 5 years and then to occur in spring or autumn burns depending on a range of factors.
35.
The BMP will schedule for maintenance of fire breaks and fire trails.
36.
The BMP will provide a schedule for assessing fuel loads.
37.
The BMP will provide an option for using controlled grazing to reduce biomass or controlled burns of derived grasslands.
00646570.DOCX
23
Table 4 (Continued)
General
38.
The BMP will describe that vehicle access will be predominantly restricted to designated tracks to minimise ground
disturbance (e.g. compaction).
39.
The BMP will include a description of the Community Consultative Committee.
Landscape 2 - Cleared (Mostly Grazing) Land with Predominantly Native Grassland
Groundcover (Derived Grasslands)
Landscape 3 is consistent with Condition State 2 in the State and Transition Model described by
Rawlings et al., (2010) (Appendix B). Landscape 3 already meets the definition of the Box-Gum
Woodland EEC in derived native grassland form. Weed control is a key factor relevant to Landscape 3
(refer to Actions 30 to 31 in Table 4).
Landscape 3 has some resilience and left alone might progress towards woodland, but it is more likely
to progress towards woodland with the help of supplementary plantings (refer to Actions 12 to 21in
Table 4).
DRAFT
Landscape 3- Remnants of the Box-Gum Woodland in Varying Conditions
Landscape 4 is consistent with Condition State 1 in the State and Transition Model described by
Rawlings et al., (2010) (Appendix B). The main activities in Landscape 3 are related to the
management of weeds and feral animals.
DRAFT
00646570.DOCX
24
5
CONCLUSION
This implementation plan has been developed to maximise the prospects for rehabilitation and
regeneration of the Box-Gum Woodland EEC on the offset areas and on the mine site. The
investigation has resulted in the identification of 48 individual actions relating to the Rehabilitation
Strategy and 39 individual actions relating to the Biodiversity Offset Strategy. The approved
implementation plan will be incorporated into the RMP and a revised BMP.
DRAFT
DRAFT
00646570.DOCX
25
6
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Broadhurst, L.M., North, T. and Young, A.G. (2006a) Should we be more critical of remnant seed
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Broadhurst, L.M., Young, A.G., Thrall, P.H. and Murray, B.G. (2006b) Sourcing Seed for Acacia
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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Box Gum Woodland EEC Implementation Plan

Transcription

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